Here are thirteen questions to help you find the best concrete leveling company for your repair project.
When considering the many options out there for concrete repair, it can seem overwhelming just to choose a method to fix your problematic concrete, let alone a company to work with.
In the midst of all the estimates and consultations you scheduled to find the right fit for your home, it’s normal to feel a little lost.
However, asking the right questions can help guide you to the best solution for your individual needs.
At A-1 Concrete Leveling, we’ve been lifting and repairing concrete for over thirty years, and in this time we’ve gotten to know which questions are best to ask in order to really get to know a concrete leveling company.
That’s why we created this list of 13 questions to help you in your quest for safe, level, and good-looking concrete.
While this is true, it’s important to keep in mind that there aren’t right answers to every question, but rather the “right” answers are those that make you feel most comfortable and confident in working with whichever company you choose.
1. Are you licensed and insured?
Arguably the most important question on this list is about whether or not your potential concrete leveling company is licensed to do the job at hand, and insured if something goes wrong.
The last thing you want is to be stuck paying for not only a faulty leveling job, but for the costly problems that could arise from a lack of insurance.
2. How many leveling jobs do you perform daily? Monthly? Yearly?
Experience matters, as the more someone does something, the more they learn about it. Just because a company has been in business for so long doesn’t mean they have been lifting concrete the entire time.
Asking how many jobs the concrete leveling company performs in a given timeframe can give you a better idea of how much experience they have, and can help you feel more at ease with the company you decide to go with.
3. Can you provide me with an idea of how it will look?
Examples of previous projects by way of before and after photos can only go so far. It’s also great to be able to visualize what your project will look like.
If it’s not already provided in the estimate, asking for a visual of how the completed project will look can help you get realistic expectations of what each company is capable of.
4. What separates you from competitors?
Asking a company what separates them from competitors will help you get a feel for what’s important to them.
Are they focused solely on offering the lowest price around? Do they have a great warranty package? What about their customer service? Do they specialize in concrete leveling, or is it something they do on the side?
Each company will have at least one thing that makes them stand out, and finding out what it is will help you decide if its values align with yours.
5. Who will manage my repair project?
Having multiple people with their hands in each project can be a nightmare for things being forgotten or overlooked.
A personal approach to project management, where fewer people are involved in the process, can make all the difference.
Be sure to ask about their protocol for managing projects and who will handle your questions or concerns throughout the process.
6. How long will the job take?
The timeline for when you need the leveling job completed is important to keep in mind. Asking potential companies how far out their repair calendar is booked will help you decide who to rule out if you are on a tight schedule.
Some companies may have a much shorter waitlist than others. If that’s the case, make sure to ask why. It’s better to have a leveling repair that’s done right than one that’s done hastily.
7. How experienced are your technicians?
It’s also a good idea to ask about the technicians that will be performing the leveling work. Do they have a lot of experience with concrete leveling? How long have they been working at it?
Concrete leveling is not a skill you can pick up overnight. Getting the perfect amount of material under the slab to raise it back to level, without overdoing it, is an ability that takes time to develop.
It’s okay if the technicians haven’t been raising concrete their entire lives, but it’s definitely better to go with a company that keeps experienced leveling technicians on staff.
8. What products and methods do you use?
In the world of concrete leveling, there are different products and methods that are best for different applications.
Many companies, however, only do foam leveling, which can be a disadvantage depending on the needs of your repair. Stone slurry leveling is an alternative to foam leveling that’s great for most applications.
Be sure to research the different products available for concrete leveling and question what each company uses, and why they do.
9. How long have you been in business?
Just because one business has been operating longer than another doesn’t necessarily mean it’s inherently better than its competitor.
However, it’s generally safe to say that the longer someone has been in business, the more experience and knowledge they will have in their craft.
It’s good to know where each potential concrete leveling company stands, as the more someone does something, the more opportunity they have to learn.
10. How does payment work?
It’s good to have all pricing information out in the open upfront so that there are no surprises later. While you will have to wait until the estimate is complete to get a look at the actual numbers, you can ask what’s expected of you as far as the payment timeline is concerned.
Will you have to pay a down payment? Is payment required before or after the repair is complete? Does the company offer payment plans?
The nature of construction is variable, so it can be a little nerve-wracking to pay upfront and wait for the repair, especially if it has to be rescheduled due to weather or if the quality of the completed work is questionable.
Here at A-1 Concrete Leveling, we don’t accept payment until the job is done, so you can rest assured that your money is safe and sound with you in the meantime.
11. Can I have a copy of your warranty?
Most reputable companies will offer a warranty, but it’s important to ask about the details and necessary qualifications to utilize it.
Sometimes companies make the qualifications very hard to meet in order to intentionally reduce the number of warranty claims they have to service.
Asking for a copy of the warranty and carefully reading through the details can help you rule out the ones that may make it hard to utilize your warranty if you need it.
12. Do you have public reviews and examples of previous work?
A company with experience and projects under its belt will undoubtedly have reviews and ratings available publicly, either on its website or Google business profile.
Oftentimes a company will also have a portfolio of before-and-after examples posted to its website.
If you haven’t found these reviews or previous repair examples, be sure to ask where you can find them online during your estimate.
13. Do you have any resources available for me to learn more?
If you want to be as informed as possible about your concrete leveling repair, the company you’re considering may be able to help.
For example, A-1 Concrete Leveling has an entire library, called Concrete Academy, filled with resources about concrete leveling, concrete maintenance, and other concrete topics.
The company may also bring paper materials to your concrete leveling estimate to help you familiarize yourself with their process.
Your Next Steps
As you schedule estimates with various concrete leveling companies, be sure to keep this list of questions close by.
Going into each of your concrete leveling estimates with these 13 questions will help you find the best fit for your concrete, and taking notes based on each company’s answers can help you narrow down the options when you’re ready to make the final decision.
Want to learn more about concrete leveling? Our Concrete Academy is full of additional resources like these:
- How Long Does Concrete Leveling Last?
- What to Expect at Your Concrete Leveling Appointment
- What Levelers Need to Know During an Estimate
- 4 Questions to Answer Before Your Concrete Leveling Estimate
If you're interested in a free on-site consultation and cost estimate with A-1 Concrete Leveling, click the link below!
Click Here to Find Your Nearest Location and Receive a FREE Estimate
Sarah Etler joined A-1 Concrete Leveling after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Northern Kentucky University. As A-1's Content Marketing Manager, she works closely with industry experts to produce content that will best answer questions related to concrete repair and maintenance practices. Sarah loves living a life full of discovery and is excited every day to see what new things she can learn and share with those around her.
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